Business insurance · Australia
Upcover
Sydney online insurance platform: tradie public liability and tools cover, quoted and bought online
Market position
upcover is a Sydney-based online insurance platform that arranges business insurance with selected insurers and underwriters; it says it has more than 80 insurance partners and more than 70,000 small-business customers. Its trades and construction page offers public and products liability, tools of trade, commercial motor and fleet, and tax audit cover, quoted online. Business News Australia reported in February 2025 that it raised a $19m Series A in debt and equity.
Australia-specific note
upcover Pty Ltd (ABN 17 628 197 437) is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd, AFSL 539078. Its terms say it acts as agent of the insurer, not the customer, when it effects a policy, and its site says it does not compare all insurers in the market.
Pros
- + Quotes and purchase online; upcover says quotes take minutes
- + Tools of trade cover for theft, damage or loss of tools and equipment, including power tools and machinery
- + Proof of insurance can be sent as soon as the policy is bought, upcover says
- + Monthly instalment option
- + Also offers commercial motor and fleet and tax audit cover for trades
Cons
- − No public prices; a quote is needed
- − Monthly instalments carry an instalment administration charge (a flat percentage of the total cost), per its terms
- − Service fee of $0 to $300 (ex GST) per policy on top of the premium, per its terms
- − Acts as agent of the insurer, not the customer, when it effects a policy
- − Commission and fees are non-refundable if a policy is cancelled after the cooling-off period
Typical Australia pricing
Quote-based; no public prices. upcover's terms list a service fee of $0 to $300 (ex GST) per policy and an instalment administration charge (a flat percentage of the total cost) for monthly payment.
Why this matters for Australia trades
Trade licensing is run by the states: Building Commission NSW issues NSW building and trade licences, QBCC licenses Queensland builders, plumbers and drainers (electrical work is licensed separately by the Electrical Safety Office), Victoria’s Building and Plumbing Commission registers and licenses plumbers, Building and Energy registers WA builders and licenses electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, and CBS licenses South Australian building and PGE contractors. Automatic Mutual Recognition lets licence holders from participating states work in NSW and, depending on the occupation, in WA, usually after notifying; Queensland does not take part. Employers report pay and super to the ATO through STP-enabled payroll software each payday, and from 1 July 2026 must pay the 12% super guarantee when they pay wages.
Australian trades vendor selection is shaped by state-based licensing, Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting to the ATO, super guarantee payments (due with each pay run under Payday Super from 1 July 2026), GST registration once turnover reaches $75,000 (per business.gov.au), and local lead services such as hipages, Localsearch and Yellow Pages.
Frequently asked
Is Upcover a good fit for Australia trades?
upcover is a Sydney-based online insurance platform that arranges business insurance with selected insurers and underwriters; it says it has more than 80 insurance partners and more than 70,000 small-business customers. Its trades and construction page offers public and products liability, tools of trade, commercial motor and fleet, and tax audit cover, quoted online. Business News Australia reported in February 2025 that it raised a $19m Series A in debt and equity. upcover Pty Ltd (ABN 17 628 197 437) is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR 1299211) of Experience Insurance Services Pty Ltd, AFSL 539078. Its terms say it acts as agent of the insurer, not the customer, when it effects a policy, and its site says it does not compare all insurers in the market.
What does Upcover cost in Australia?
Quote-based; no public prices. upcover's terms list a service fee of $0 to $300 (ex GST) per policy and an instalment administration charge (a flat percentage of the total cost) for monthly payment. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current Australia pricing on the vendor's site before committing.